bound

1 a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency Synonyms bound, boundary, cap, ceiling, confines, end, extent, limitation, line, terminationRelated Words extremity, fag end, terminus; border, brim, edge, margin, rim, verge; outside; bar, barrier, fence, hedge, restraint, stop, wall

2 the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something colored outside the bounds of the drawing Synonyms borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, vergeRelated Words ambit; brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip; ceiling, maximum; demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination; borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage; lap; shoreNear Antonyms center, core, heart; inner, inside, interior, middle, within

an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone Synonyms bound, hop, leap, spring, vaultRelated Words bounce, lope, skip; caper, capriole, gambado, gambol; attack, pounce; dive, pitch, plunge

1 to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides Synonyms bound, circumscribe, define, delimit, demarcate, demark, mark (off), terminateRelated Words control, determine, govern; delineate, describe

2 to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality Synonyms bound, edge, frame, fringe, margin, rim, skirtRelated Words hem, trim; circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace; circle, compass, encircle, enclose (also inclose), environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall; check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict

1 to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends Synonyms bounce, bound, hop, lollop, lope, tripRelated Words caper, frisk, gambol, romp; skim, skitter; jump, leap, vaultNear Antonyms lumber, plod, trudge

2 to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path Synonyms bound, hop, leap, spring, vaultRelated Words bounce, hurdle, leapfrog, lope, skip; buck; caper, capriole, cavort, frolic, gambol, romp; attack, pounce; shoot, skyrocket

fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30 Synonyms bent (on or upon), determined, decisive, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-mindedRelated Words bitter, vehement; certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure; earnest, serious; steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering; adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)Near Antonyms distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure; disinclined, indisposed, loath (also loth or loathe), reluctantAntonyms faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed